CURRENT MISSION

Research Assistant, PhD Candidate in the field of English Language Teaching (ELT) & PhD Student in the field Modern Turkish Dialects and Literatures

ABOUT ME

Pivotal ten words of my personal philosophy: curiosity, travelling, knowledge, sincerity, derwishood, realism, understanding, peace, fiesta as well as siesta:)

And here you can read my brief life story:)

I was born in Istanbul, Bakirkoy in 1986. I grew up in this city and a city called Ordu in the Black Sea Region located in the north of Turkey. I got my B.A. from the Kocaeli University and worked as a teacher of English language in a state school in Istanbul for about a year. Then I went to Austria, Salzburg as a Comenius Assistant in 2009. Last but not least:) I have completed my M.A at Middle East Technical University in the field of ELT. I have been doing two PhDs in the fields of ELT & Modern Turkish Dialects & Literatures.

PHILOSOPHY

Derwish-like life.

'Water that's poured inside will sink the boat
While water underneath keeps it afloat.

Driving wealth from his heart to keep it pure
King Solomon preferred the title 'Poor':

That sealed jar in the stormy sea out there
Floats on the waves because it's full of air,

When you've the air of dervishood inside
You'll float above the world and there abide.'

Mewlana Rumi, Book 1 of his Masnavi.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

One of my friends, who has also been a CSr, introduced me the CouchSurfing for the first time by means of our meeting with another CSr for coffee in Ankara, Turkey.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've had some really great experiences with hosting.

Interests

Anything, to cut it short:) Languages, literature, cinema, ethnic music, world history, politics...

• culture
• books
• literature
• coffee
• boating
• politics
• movies
• traveling
• music
• dialects
• teaching
• history
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

In terms of music, I can say I love ethnic and folk music. Bands I like: Kardes Turkuler, Rastak (Iranian Band), Niyaz (Iranian band once again), Yeni Turku, Inti-Illimani.

In terms of books, I like Russian classics of Dostoyevsky, Pushkin and Tolstoy. I also like reading diwans of eastern classics such as Mewlana's Masnavi, Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi.

I am very fond of the movies directed by independent directors in the US. I have been interested in the Iranian and South Korean cinemas as they have their own ways of expressing themselves. I am a big fan of Majid Majidi.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have not been that lucky yet I suppose:)

Teach, Learn, Share

I would like to share anything I have: language, knowledge, culture, couch:)

Countries I’ve Visited

Azerbaijan, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, Netherlands, Turkey